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When you are preparing yourself for a job interview, most people advising you are probably focusing more on how to handle those tough questions by giving thorough and well-thought-out responses. That is okay because, actually, that’s the core of the interview in the first place. However, there is more: making a stellar first impression. See our tips below on how you can successfully do this:

1) Dress the Part

When you set foot into the interview room, your appearance will definitely play an important part in how the interview panel first perceives you. Showing up neatly dressed in a fine suit and scuff-less shoes presents you as both well put-together and professional. You can put together the outfit you need at an affordable price when you use Discountrue.com coupons or take advantage of other special occasions.

2) Show-up Time Matters a Lot

It goes without saying that you must never be late for a job interview. It is even more important to you if this is your dream job! Make it a habit to always arrive early for your interviews and other formal engagements so that you get used to it. In case you find yourself in a situation where run late due to some unavoidable circumstances, be sure to inform your interviewers as soon as you possibly can.

3) Show Some Enthusiasm!

The reason why you were invited for this interview is because your prospective new employers believe that you are the right person for the job. So, show them that they actually made the right decision in calling you in! Prove that you can do the job better than those you are competing with in this interview. And remember not to be negative about your past or current employers or working conditions, because it can actually work against you terribly.

4) Everything should be Neat, Organized and Easily Accessible

When you get to the interview room, you should expect that during the first few minutes somebody is going to ask you for a copy of your resume. Make sure that you have put it (and everything else needed) in a position where they are neatly organized and readily available inside your bag for easy access when you are asked to pull them out.

5) Handling the Question: Why Do You Want this Job?

This is a question you should expect, therefore, plan for its appropriate answer in advance. It is only you who can answer this question the way it should. It has to be a well-thought and compeling answer. Just being in need of a job is not a good enough justification for anyone to hire you.

6) Remember to be Nice to the Receptionist

Do not disregard the person seated at the front desk just because they are not your hiring manager. Their impression of you actually matters because, in fact, some companies nowadays are specifically asking their front desk attendants how prospective interviewees behave as they come through the door and use that as a factor in their ultimate hiring decision. Remember to always treat everybody with respect.

7) When to Ask Questions

Although you should allow the interview panel to lead the interview, you do not have to wait till the end of your talk to ask questions. In fact, relevant inquiries help to emphasize your interest in the new job position. What is important, you should let those questions flow naturally with the interview – do not just ask so as to appear enthusiastic or engaging.

People choose to invest in gold for all sorts of reasons. Experienced investors may use it as a tool for diversification, helping to reduce the risk level attached to their portfolio. Risk-averse traders may favour it because of its traditional role as a safe haven asset. Or, in the case of entrepreneurs, it might be selected as a means of providing a stable source of income for the times when business proves tough.

Irrespective of the reasoning, role, or rightness of the decisions that drive these investments, gold is prized for one quality above all: its price stability. Largely immune to deflation, and untouched by the ravages of social, political, or economic strife, it is the asset of choice for those unwilling to risk their livelihoods or their financial futures.

However, it is not as simple as making a choice to invest. First, you must understand the various options that are available to you, and that’s why we’ve created this handy little guide.

Exchange-Traded Funds

One means of investing in gold is to consider exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These can be confusing for uninitiated or novice investors, and this means that they’re often better left to the professionals. In their most basic form, they are a type of share, yet they act more like funds. They work by tracking an index, such as the price of gold. Bought and sold via stockbrokers and investment agents, they are worth considering if you’re willing to put the time and effort into educating yourself on their function and mechanisms.

Unit Trusts

For those who would prefer an option that’s less time-consuming and labour intensive, unit trusts offer a natural choice. They tend to be well suited to those who have little time for trading, or no inclination for learning about the art of investing. Run by a professional fund manager, they place your capital in both bullion and gold mining companies in order to achieve the most profitable outcome for you.

Physical Gold

If you’re looking for something a little different again, you might want to consider investing in physical gold. This type of investment awards traders with physical ownership of gold bullion, which is generally stored in a secure vault by your broker. It is a wonderful option for those who have little knowledge of trading and how it works, and is also an ideal choice for those who don’t have huge cash reserves to invest. It can be bought in a variety of unit sizes, meaning that you can find a package that’s perfect for you.

Bullion Coins and Bars

One final alternative to explore is the bullion coins and bars that have been specifically created for investment purposes. With coins and gold bar options purchasable from as little as £20, they can be a useful choice for those working within a limited budget.

If you’re considering investing in gold, which option would be best for you?

Mortgage advice can be a rewarding and lucrative career, but in order to get the most interesting and best paid roles, you’ll need to put in some study time and build up your experience. If you’re looking to progress in this field, the following guide should help.

Moving on from CeMAP

Everyone who works in this industry needs a qualification in mortgage advice that’s recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) is a popular option. The chances are, if you work in this field, you will already have this qualification. After all, it is generally recognised as a leading certificate within the financial services sector and more than eight in 10 mortgage advisors have it.

However, important as it is for launching your career, CeMAP may not be enough in itself to enable you to get to where you want to go. To progress in the field, it’s worth considering further study. This will require an investment of time and money, but it could significantly enhance your prospects.

Consider the CMAcert

One option is to take the Competent Mortgage Adviser certificate (CMAcert). Bear in mind that to start this training programme, you must already have your CeMAP or an equivalent qualification. The CMAcert is designed to provide you with a range of skills that are valuable and highly relevant for the work that advisors do. Accredited by the National Skills Academy, the course can help you to develop your experience and knowledge and boost your confidence, making you more employable.

It covers a range of topics, including how to attract new clients, the importance of holding structured appointments, agreeing insurance protection needs and the processes of house buying and mortgage and protection applications. The final module comprises a series of assessments, activities and case studies.

Standing out from the crowd

Especially if you feel as though you’ve already done a lot of studying and you would prefer to focus on the practicalities of your daily job, signing up for further qualifications can seem like an unnecessary hassle. Bear in mind though, mortgage advice is a competitive career path and you will be vying for roles with other candidates who may be better qualified than you. So, to stand the best chance of landing the jobs you want, you’ll need to make sure you have all the relevant credentials.

By putting the extra effort in now, you could find you are reaping the rewards for many years to come, so it’s well worth investigating your options.